Humidifier



F. N. SMlTH Oct. 22, 1935.

HUMIDIFIER Filed April 2, 1934 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 22, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 19 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an automatic steam generator for use in connectionwith conventional house heating systems and the like.

Second, to provide a steam generator of this character in which theamount of steam generated can be accurately controlled and which may bequickly and easily installed.

Third, to provide an improved valve control for a steam generator inwhich the valve is quickly and positively opened.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appearfrom the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed outin the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which;

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a humidifyingapparatus embodying my improvements in operative relation. to aconventional heating system shown in dotted lines.

Figs. 2, 2A, and 2B are views partially in. side elevation andmainly inlongitudinal vertical section of successive fragments of my automaticsteam generator.

In the drawing, numeral 1 represents a heating furnace or boiler, 2 thefire or combustion chamber thereof, and 3 the door of said chamber. 4represents a radiator and 5 a steam distributing head disposed adjacentthe radiator so that the air currents set up by the radiator willdistribute the steam or vapor delivered by the humidifier head.

In the illustrated embodiment of my generator, the elongated tubularboiler 6 is closed at its outer and inner ends by means of the closureplug 1 and head member 8, respectively. The

boiler is provided with a steam outlet 9 adjacent its inner end. Iprovide a housing lll constituting a water inlet chamber, the valve unitII being threaded to the outer end of the hous-- ing for longitudinaladjustment and having a central bore 3 opening to the inlet chamber andprovided with a valve seat I4.

The valve unit is held in adjusted position by means of the lock nut 34.The valve unit is provided with a screen l5 through which the water mustpass before it enters the valve chamber it. The valve I1 is normallyclosed by the pressure of the inlet water assisted by the compressionspring l8 in the valve chamber.

In the housing I0, I mount the bellows or expansion element 19' which isprovided with a plunger 20 projecting into the central bore I3, theplunger being preferably spaced from the bore as shown. The plungercoacts with the push rod 2| to open the valve ll when the expansionelement is actuated. I provide meansfor actuating the expansion elementcomprisingthe tube or container 22 which projects into the boiler 5 fromthe inner end thereof, the outer end or" the tube being closed and itsinner end being connected to the expansion element. The

tube 22 contains a heat responsive fluid such as 5.

lalcohol, methane and the like or a suitable mixture or gas.

The water pipe 23 is connected to the water inlet chamber and projectsinto the boiler 6 from the inner end thereof and has its dischargeadjacent the outer end thereof. Between the housing I 9 and the boiler6, I provide a protective casing 24 for the fluid tube 22 and the waterpipe 23, these parts being. preferably flexible copper tubing so thatthe housing and boiler can be arranged most conveniently for theparticular installation.

The boiler is mounted on the supporting plate 2:"; which may be boltedto the fire door frame of the furnace so that. the boiler is supportedin suitable position in. the combustion chamber 2. Water is supplied tothe device through the connection 26 which is provided with a shut-oflvalve 21. The steam outlet 9 of the boiler is connected to the difiuserhead 5 as illustrated, 9.25 separator trap 28 being preferably used inthis connection.

' The thermostatic fiuid 29 within the tube 22 acts when expanded byheat to open the Valve I! through expansion element or bellows I9, 30plunger 20 and push rod 2|. The opening of the valve results in theadmission of water into the boiler 6 through bore l3, water inletchamber 30, and water pipe 23. The incoming water inv the boiler acts tocool the thermostatic fluid 29. which contracts quite rapidly allowingvthe valve to be closed by the spring and water pres sure.

The water discharged into the boiler is converted, into steam anddelivered to the distributor head through the connections described. Thevalve opening and closing action is quite rapid and water is suppliedto. the boiler in approximately measured amounts. It will be understood.that when the fire is low the device does not operate, which isdesirable inasmuch as it eliminates the delivery of steam when thesystem is below a predetermined temperature.

The quantity of water delivered by the valve to the boiler isconveniently controlled by adjusting the longitudinal position of thevalve unit It relativev to the housing I0.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment whichI have found. very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate ordescribe other embodiments or adaptations, as it is believed thisdisclosure will enable those skilled inthe. art to embody or adapt myimprovements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what. I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, of ahousing spaced from said boiler and constituting a water inlet chamber,a valve unit threaded to the outer end of said housing for longitudinaladjustment and having a central bore opening to said inlet chamber andprovided with a valve seat, a spring closed valve coacting with saidvalve seat, a bellows in said housing having a. plunger projecting intosaid central bore, a push rod disposed between said plunger and saidvalve, a heat responsive fluid tube projecting into said boiler, theouter end of the tube being closed and its inner end being connected tosaid bellows for operating the valve, a water pipe connected to saidinlet chamber and projecting into said boiler, and a protective casingfor said fluid tube and water pipe between said boiler and said housing,the fluid tube, water pipe and protective casing being flexible.

2. In an automatic steam generator, the combi nation with a boiler, of ahousing constituting a water inlet chamber, a valve unit threaded to theouter end of said housing for longitudinal adjustment and having a boreopening to said inlet chamber and provided with a valve seat, a springclosed valve coacting with said valve seat, a bellows in said housinghaving a plunger projecting into said central bore, a push rod disposedbetween said plunger and said valve, a heat responsive fluid tubeprojecting into said boiler, the outer end of the tube being closed andits inner end being connected to said bellows for operating the valve, awater pipe connected to said inlet chamber and projecting into saidboiler, and a protective casing for said fluid tube and water pipebetween said boiler and said housing.

3. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, of ahousing spaced from said boiler and constituting a water inlet chamber,a valve unit threaded to the outer end of said housing for longitudinaladjustment and having a central bore opening to said inlet chamber andprovided with a valve seat, a spring closed valve coacting .with saidvalve seat, an expansion element in said housing having a plungerprojecting into said central bore, a push rod disposed between saidplunger and said valve, a heat responsive fluid container projectinginto said boiler, the outer end of the tube being closed and its innerend being connected to said expansion element for-operating the valve,and a water pipe connected to said inlet chamber and projecting intosaid boiler, the fluid tube and water pipe being flexible.

,4. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, of ahousing constituting a 7 1 element foroperating the valve, and a waterpipe connected to said inlet chamber and projecting into said boiler.

In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, of ahousing constituting a water inlet chamber, a valve ,unit having a boreopening to said inlet chamber and provided with a valve seat, a springclosed valve coacting with said valve seat, an expansion element in saidhousing having a plunger projecting into said central bore, a push roddisposed between said 5 plunger and said valve, a heat responsive fluidcontainer projecting into said boiler, the outer end of the tube beingclosed and its inner end being connected to said expansion element foroperating the valve, and a water pipe connected 10 to said inlet chamberand projecting into said boiler. V

6. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, of ahousing constituting a water inlet chamber, a valve unit threaded to theouter end of said housing for longitudinal adjustment and having acentral bore opening to said inlet chamber and provided with a valveseat, a valve coacting with said valve seat, an expansion element insaid housing for operating said valve, a heat responsive fluid containerwithin said boiler, the outer end of the tube being closed and its innerend being connected to'said expansion element, a Water pipe connected tosaid inlet chamber and projecting into said boiler, and a protectivecasing for said fluid tube and water pipe between said boiler and saidhousing, the fluid tube, water pipe and protective casing beingflexible.

7. In an automatic steam generatonithe combination with a boiler, of ahousing constituting a water inlet chamber, a valve unit threaded to theouter end of said housing for longitudinal adjustment and having acentral bore opening to said inlet chamber and provided with a valveseat, 5 a valve coacting with said valve seat, an expansion element insaid housing for operating said valve, a heat responsive fluid containerwithin said boiler, the outer end of the tube being closed and its innerend being connected to said expansion element, and a Water pipeconnected to said inlet chamber and projecting into said boiler.-

8. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, of ahousing constituting a water inlet chamber, a valve unit having a boreopening to said inlet chamber and provided with a valve seat, a valvecoacting with said valve seat, an expansion element in said housing foroperating said valve, a heat responsive fluid container within saidboiler, the outer end of the tube being closed and its inner end beingconnected to said expansion element, and a water pipe connected to saidinlet chamber and projecting into said boiler. v

9. In an automatic steam generator, the combination of a boiler having asteam outlet, a housing constitutinga' water inlet chamber, a waterinlet valve discharging into said chamber, a water pipe connecting saidchamber to said boiler, an expansion element in said chamber foroperating said valve, and a closed heat responsive fluid container insaid boiler connected to said expansion element.

10. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a housingconstituting a water inlet chamber having a bellows therein, and anormally closed valve for admitting water tosaid chamber when saidbellows is expanded, of an elongated tube-like boiler spaced from saidhousing and having closed inner and outer ends and a steam outletadjacent its inner end, a heat responsive fluid tube projecting intosaid boiler from the inner end thereof for expanding said bellows whenheated by the lack of steam in the boiler, and a water pipe connected tosaid inlet chamber and projecting into the boiler from the inner endthereof and having its discharge adjacent the outer end thereof, wherebywhen water is fed to the boiler it is converted into steam at once anddischarged through the steam outlet, the steam in passing from one endof the boiler to the other enveloping that portion of the tube withinthe boiler and cooling the heat responsive fluid which thereuponcontracts the bellows to permit said valve to close, this cycle being repeated in regular succession as long as the boiler is heated.

11. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a normallyclosed water inlet valve, of an elongated tube-like boiler having closedinner and outer ends and a steam outlet adjacent its inner end, a heatresponsive means projecting into said boiler from the inner end thereoffor opening said valve when heated by the lack of steam in the boiler,and a water pipe connected to said valve and projecting into the boilerfrom the inner end thereof and having its discharge adjacent the outerend thereof, whereby when water is fed to the boiler it is convertedinto steam at once and discharged through the steam outlet, the steam inpassing from one end of the boiler to the other enveloping that portionof the heat responsive means Within the boiler and cooling the samewhich thereupon releases said valve, this cycle being repeated inregular succession as long as the boiler is heated.

12. In an automatic steam generator, the combination of an elongatedtube-like boiler having closed inner and outer ends and a steam outletadjacent its inner end, a heat responsive fluid tube projecting intosaid boiler from the inner end thereof, a water pipe projecting intosaid boiler from the inner end thereof and having its discharge adjacentthe outer end thereof so that the water discharged thereby is convertedinto steam before enveloping said tube and leaving by said steam outlet,and a water inlet valve controlled by the heat responsive fluid foradmitting water to said pipe only when steam is substantially absentfrom the boiler, whereby the valve opens and 'closes in regularsuccession and steam is discharged from the boiler in a series of jetseach following an opening of the valve so long as the boiler is heated,the frequency of the steam generating cycles being responsive to thetemperature to which the boiler is elevated.

13. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, anda water inlet chamber spaced therefrom, of a water inlet valve adaptedto admit inlet water to said water inlet chamber, and an elongatedconduit connecting said boiler and water inlet chamber and having aninlet water passage and a heat responsive fluid passage arranged so thatthe inlet water tempers the heat responsive fluid, and means includingthe latter acting to control said valve in response to the temperatureof said boiler.

14. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, anda water inlet chamber spaced therefrom, of elongated inlet water andheat responsive fluid passages connecting said boiler and water inletchamber and arranged so that the inlet water tempers the heat responsivefluid, and means including a Water inlet valve for admitting inlet waterto said inlet water chamher in response to the temperature of saidboiler acting through said heat responsive fluid.

. 15. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler,and a water inlet chamber spaced therefrom, of a water inlet valve foradmitting inlet water to said water inlet chamber, an elongated heatresponsive fluid tube having its ends in operative relation with saidboiler and said water inlet valve whereby the valve is controlled by thetemperature of the boiler through the heat responsive fluid, and aninlet water pipe for conducting the inlet water from said water inletchamber to said boiler and associated with said heat responsive fluidtube in such a way as to cause the inlet water flowing through said pipeto temper the heat responsive fluid in said tube.

16. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, anda water inlet chamber spaced therefrom, of a water inlet valve foradmitting inlet water to said Water inlet chamber, heat responsive meansacting to control said Water inlet valve in response to the temperatureof said boiler, and an inlet water pipe for conducting the inlet waterfrom said water inlet chamber to said boiler .and associated with saidheat responsive means in such a way that the inlet water counteracts thetransmission of heat through the parts connecting the boiler to thewater inlet chamber and water inlet valve.

17. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, anda water inlet valve spaced therefrom, of heat responsive means acting tocontrol said valve in response to the temperature of said boiler, andmeans .acting to conduct the inlet water from said valve to said boilerso that the inlet water counteracts the transmisison of heat through theparts between the boiler and valve.

18. In an automatic steam generator, the com bination with a boiler, ofa housing spaced from said boiler and having a water inlet chamberprovided with alined bores in opposite sides thereof, a bellows disposedin said chamber and having opposed stems projecting into said bores, oneof said bores providing a water inlet, the stem projecting into saidwater inlet being spaced therefrom to provide an inlet water passage,the other stem being anchored in the other bore and having a heatresponsive fluidinlet passage communicating with the inside of saidbellows, means for conducting water from said chamber to said boiler, awater inlet valve controlled by the stem of said bellows projecting intosaid water. inlet, and means containing a heat responsive fluid forcontrolling said bellows in response to the temperature of said boiler.

19. In an automatic steam generator, the combination of a boiler and ahousing spaced from each other, the housing having a water inlet chamberthrough which the supply water to said boiler is adapted to pass, abellows disposed in said chamber and having a stem secured to one sideof said housing, the stem having a passage for a fluid for operatingsaid bellows in response to the temperature of said boiler, the otherside of said housing having a water inlet passage, and a stem on themovable side of said bellows projecting loosely into said water inletpassage for controlling the operation of a water inlet Valve in responseto operation of said bellows.

FERRIS N. SMITH.

